Vaporizer related systems, methods, and apparatus

Abstract

A personal vapor inhaling unit is disclosed. An electronic flameless vapor inhaler unit that may simulate a cigarette has a cavity that receives a cartridge in the distal end of the inhaler unit. The cartridge brings a substance to be vaporized in contact with a wick. When the unit is activated, and the user provides suction, the substance to be vaporized is drawn out of the cartridge, through the wick, and is atomized by the wick into a cavity containing a heating element. The heating element vaporizes the atomized substance. The vapors then continue to be pulled by the user through a mouthpiece and mouthpiece cover where they may be inhaled.

We claim: 
     
       1. A personal vaporizer unit comprising:
 a housing; 
 a ceramic substrate positioned within the housing and comprising a reservoir configured to retain a substance to be vaporized and defining a liquid transport element to transport the substance through the ceramic substrate; 
 a heating element positioned within the housing and arranged adjacent to the ceramic substrate, the heating element configured to vaporize the substance delivered to the heating element from the ceramic substrate to generate a vapor from the substance; and 
 a mouthpiece opening through which the vapor flows, 
 wherein the reservoir defines a hollow portion extending at least partially through a central axis of the ceramic substrate and configured to retain the substance therein. 
 
     
     
       2. The personal vaporizer unit of  claim 1 , wherein an end of the ceramic substrate opposing the hollow portion is substantially planar, and the heating element is at least partially arranged on the substantially planar portion of the ceramic substrate. 
     
     
       3. The personal vaporizer unit of  claim 2 , wherein the reservoir is in direct contact with the substance to be vaporized, the liquid transport element transporting the substance through the ceramic substrate and to the heating element that is at least partially arranged on the substantially planar portion of the ceramic substrate. 
     
     
       4. The personal vaporizer unit of  claim 1 , wherein the housing defines at least one opening through which air enters the personal vaporizer unit such that the air contacts the vaporized substance. 
     
     
       5. The personal vaporizer unit of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid transport element defines at least one opening extending through the ceramic substrate. 
     
     
       6. The personal vaporizer unit of  claim 1 , further comprising an airflow channel extending through a central axis of the housing and arranged to direct the vapor to the mouthpiece opening. 
     
     
       7. An atomizer assembly comprising:
 a ceramic substrate comprising a reservoir configured to retain a substance to be vaporized and defining a liquid transport element to transport the substance through the ceramic substrate; 
 a heating element arranged adjacent to the ceramic substrate and configured to vaporize the substance delivered to the heating element from the ceramic substrate to generate a vapor from the substance, 
 wherein the reservoir defines a hollow portion extending at least partially through a central axis of the ceramic substrate and configured to retain the substance therein. 
 
     
     
       8. The atomizer assembly of  claim 7 , wherein an end of the ceramic substrate opposing the hollow portion is substantially planar, and the heating element is at least partially arranged on the substantially planar portion of the ceramic substrate. 
     
     
       9. The atomizer assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the reservoir is in direct contact with the substance to be vaporized, the liquid transport element transporting the substance through the ceramic substrate and to the heating element that is at least partially arranged on the substantially planar portion of the ceramic substrate. 
     
     
       10. The atomizer assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the liquid transport element defines at least one opening extending through the ceramic substrate.